Oscar-Winning Composer James Horner Dies in Plane Crash

UPDATE: Horner’s death was confirmed by his assistant, Sylvia Patrycja, who said in a statement, “We have lost an amazing person with a huge heart and unbelievable talent. He died doing what he loved. Thank you for all your support and love and see you down the road.”

In what may surely turn out to be horrifically tragic news, acclaimed composer James Horner’s plane has crashed in Santa Barbara resulting in the death of the pilot, whose identity has yet to be confirmed. The plan is registered in Horner’s name, and the composer has yet to be accounted for, although reports are trickling in online that Horner was the pilot of the plane.

Per Variety and several outlets, the 61-year-old composer of films like Titanic, Aliens, Field of Dreams and more has not yet been accounted for following a crash involving his plane. The local Santa Barbara fire department responded to a call regarding a plane crash at 9:30 this morning. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.

Horner won two Oscars for his work as composer on James Cameron’s Titanic, receiving an award for his original score as well as an award for best original song for Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On.” The composer also crafted scores for Braveheart, A Beautiful Mind and Cameron’s Avatar.